A MAJOR £26.5 million link road in Crewe named after one of the victims of the Great Train Robbery has been officially opened.

The final stretch of Crewe Green Link Road, which completes the eastern bypass around Crewe, was opened on Monday by the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP.

The link road has been named David Whitby Way in recognition of David Whitby, the co-driver of the train that was targeted in the 1963 Great Train Robbery.

David, who lived in Crewe, died nine years later from a heart attack at the young age of 34.

Nancy Barkley, David’s sister, has always believed her brother’s sudden death was a result of the stress and trauma he suffered in the cab of the diesel train on the night of the robbery.

Mrs Barkley said: “I have always believed David would be alive today, enjoying life with a family of his own, had it not been for what he went through on that dreadful night.

“He was never the same man after that and died far too young.

“But I am so pleased, and I know that he would be so proud, to have this road named after him and I would like to thank Cheshire East Council for ensuring that his name will become a part of the town of Crewe, a great railway town.”

Crewe Green Link Road has taken 15 months to build and involved a full weekend closure of the Derby to Crewe railway line, so that a 2,000 tonne bridge could be installed to carry the line.

At 1.1km long the dual carriageway road, which cost £26.5 million to build, forms a valuable link between the A500 Hough-Shavington bypass and the A5020 Weston Road.

Part of the cost of Crewe Green Link Road was funded by a £15.6 million grant from the Department for Transport, while the rest was funded by Cheshire East Council and developers.

The whole scheme includes extensive environmental impact measures for wildlife and the planting of hundreds of trees.

Cllr Michael Jones, Cheshire East Council Leader, said: “The completion of Crewe Green Link Road is yet another fantastic achievement for this council and demonstrates our total commitment to the regeneration and future growth strategy for the town.

“I have always stated how committed I am to providing infrastructure that alleviates the frustrations experienced by businesses and residents when travelling, and I am so pleased that Cheshire East Council has delivered yet another strategic highways project that will help to stimulate connectivity and attract new businesses and jobs to this great railway town.”

Crewe Green Link Road is one of several major highways schemes delivered by Cheshire East Council.

More than £1 billion has been spent on road and strategic infrastructure schemes in Cheshire East in recent years.

Cllr David Brown, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and cabinet member for highways, said: “The completion of this highway scheme represents a further landmark in the regeneration of this great town of Crewe.”